Well.... finally I have a stable job (knock on wood) and I've gotten some $ saved up, so I'm in the position to purchase a superchip. Mike I just want to know how much does it cost for custom programing, and how do you go about doing it? I've got some bolt-ons on my engine, and I just want to get the best out of my $225. Thanks for the info and talk to ya soon!

-Flea

 

custom programming is free with a flip chip I dont know how much for a sigle program chip..any might is going to want the mods you did....

 

Hi Flea,

1.) It's nice to see you back again, & we're delighted for you! Glad to hear your job situation is looking up, I know that must be quite a relief.

2.) It is against the policies of F-150 Online to discuss pricing here, either by regular participants or by vendors. We're happy to provide any information & pricing you want or need of course, we consider that an honor, but we have to ask that you contact us privately, off these message boards for that kind of info, & thanks in advance for your understanding on that.

There is no one set cost for all custom programming/tuning, the cost varies quite a bit depending on exactly what has to be done. For example, a gear ratio or tire size change is one thing, tuning for MAF/injector changes another, and custom tuning a forced-induction motor (supercharged, turbocharged, etc.) another yet, just to give you some idea of how that works as best I can here.

3.) Custom programming is only appropriate if you actually have modifications done to your vehicle that either require or can actually benefit from custom programming, otherwise it's a mute point. For example, you can't just say "I want a custom program to make more power," as it doesn't work like that (sure would be nice for all of us if it did!).

In your case, I do see in your signature line something that would require and benefit from custom programming/tuning, and that is your headers. Even with that, you don't have a custom program done for more power, you do it because you *need* to, because the headers make your engine run leaner than is acceptable or safe long-term, and that needs to be corrected. If that is not corrected, you lose power (meaning you don't gain as much power as you should from the headers) from the lean condition, and you will overheat the exhaust system including the headers (especially with low-cost headers) and everything else, catalytic converters, mufflers, etc. The cats & your engine's valves will turn white from the extreme heat from the lean condition over time, and that additional heat will also cause cracking in various exhaust system components over time, especially the catalytic converters, etc.

4.) What mbtech said in his post is not correct with regard to the Flip Chip, it does *not* include all custom tuning free. That is only true in certain situations. At one time (and for a long time, years & years!) that was indeed the case, but not these days. The custom programming fees have seen changes this year after no changes for a decade, and the Flip Chip has also seen changes this year in terms of pricing and what is and is not included, etc., so I'm sure mbtech just wasn't aware of those changes, as what he said was indeed true for a long time, and we have told many people that very same thing for years! As time goes by and vehicles get more complicated, fuel formulations change and fuel quality varies widely, the actual amount of work and time that it takes to do correct & accurate custom tuning has increased significantly.

Let's talk for a second about what you really want to know, what we can do for you in the way of custom tuning to get you more power.................

Because you have installed headers, the engine is now running too lean, beyond the ECU's ability to compensate. Don't get me wrong, we love headers and they're a great part to install, but we do need to tune for them so your engine will have safe A/F ratios and make it's best power. In this case, in addition to doing this because it's needed to correct the Air/Fuel ratios, you'll also pick up some more power as a byproduct of fixing the A/F's.

With a set of say, JBA shorty headers on an F-150/Expedition, etc., we'll normally pick up at least 5 more horsepower at the rear wheels just from correcting the lean condition. You may see even more power gain than that, it just depends on how much those particular headers actually affect scavenging of the spent gases from the cylinder head. We may be able to get you another 10+ horsepower to the rear wheels, but I'd say to count on about 5+ to be conservative. I hate to say that because as soon as I do, people think "Oh, I'm only going to get another 5-10 horsepower, so I'm not going to do that." Which is a big mistake, as you don't get custom programming done for headers specifically to gain more power, though that is usually the end result, you do it because you *need* to, because the engine will be running too lean like it is right now if that is not fixed.

I hope I've managed to give you some information that will help explain this a bit to you, & please forgive me if I've just caused you more confusion with all the additional info, I just like to explain things thoroughly, which isn't easy for me to do via the written word.

Please give us a call to go over this in more detail, and for us to quote your custom programming costs, etc. for this application, our contact info is just below for your convenience.

 

Well Mike, I called and you were on the phone with someone else, so I talked with Anita (also very helpful), and she talked me into a flipchip. *really big grin* She said that since my shorty headers are really the only thing that would cause any signifigant gains when custom burnt, my custom fee would be included with the chip. Everything has worked out for the best! If you read this before you get to work tomorrow, tell Anita to either mail me the form or call me after 5:30 to get my dad's fax #. Darn you Superchips people! I believe you've started an epademic!

Thanks for all the help, Mike
-Flea

 

Hi Flea,

>>>Well Mike, I called and you were on the phone with someone else, so I talked with Anita (also very helpful)...........<<<

My apologies, as yes, that does indeed happen. It seems like I'm on the horn so much it's growing out of my ear. Sorry I missed getting a chance to speak with you, & glad to hear Anita took good care of you, she's pretty good at that.

Yes, for things like headers, changing speedo calibration for gear ratio and/or tire size changes, and a number of other things are included in the Flip Chip, so you're in good shape there. The single biggest thing that isn't included in the Flip Chip these days, and this is a change that went into effect very recently, on June 1st actually, is the custom tuning for forced-induction engines (supercharged, turbocharged, etc.). That's a big change, as it was always included in the past, but this is an area where the amount of work that's required to tune these new vehicles properly that have added a blower (supercharger) has increased to the point that they finally had to do something. That doesn't affect you however.

Thanks for calling Flea, & all the best!

 

Thanks Mike! You're the man; I hope I'll get to meet you at the rally this July!

-Flea

 

Hi Flea,

If you come to the Rally (and we hope you do!), you'll definately be able to meet us, you can count on that. That's what we look forward to the most, meeting the faces behind the names here at F-150 Online.